Yankees owner George Steinbrenner dies at 80

Ironically, from Boston-

A shipbuilder from Ohio who once promised absentee ownership, George M. Steinbrenner III instead took the New York Yankees and made them his own, raising the profile of baseball’s most famous team to new heights.

The sport’s longest-tenured, most notorious and successful owner, Steinbrenner died today in Tampa, Fla., after suffering what was described as a massive heart attack. He had turned 80 on July 4.

“He was an incredible and charitable man,’’ a statement released by his family said. “He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again.’’

Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees in 1973 and soon became the most famed owner in professional sports. “The Boss’’ created terror within the offices at Yankee Stadium, turned dozens of ballplayers into millionaires and reveled in the media spotlight by criticizing nearly everyone in his employ.

But Steinbrenner’s legacy will also be defined by historic success. During his reign, the Yankees won the World Series seven times and qualified for the playoffs on 19 occasions. A team he purchased for $10 million in 1973 is now estimated to be worth at least $1.6 billion.

More here-

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2010/07/14/yankees_owner_george_steinbrenner_dies_at_80/